Huntington Launches Exact Track Dual Degree Program with Columbus State, Franklin University

Unique approach offers workplace pathway to associate's, bachelor's degrees

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Oct 09, 2019, 18:05 ET

COLUMBUS, Ohio, Oct. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- As current and prospective college students confront multiple barriers in pursuing college degrees, Huntington Bank, Columbus State Community College and Franklin University have launched an innovative, forward-looking workforce education program to reduce the burdens on students and increase the likelihood of their success.

The Exact Track 3+1 dual degree business program launched in July with a first group of 25 Huntington students whose educational costs with Columbus State and Franklin University are being paid up front by Huntington. The unique program provides a combination of education, support, and real-world experience, and its convenient workplace location helps eliminate some of the hurdles for students hoping to further their education.

Today, Huntington Chairman and CEO Steve Steinour joined Columbus State President David Harrison, Franklin University President David Decker, Ohio Lieutenant Governor Jon Husted and Ohio Business Roundtable CEO and Chair of the Governor's Executive Workforce Board, Pat Tiberi, alongside Exact Track students to celebrate the program's launch at The Huntington Gateway Center in Columbus' Northland neighborhood.

"We are proud to partner with Columbus State and Franklin University to create a unique model that brings higher education directly into the workplace," Steinour said. "Exact Track is on the cutting edge of workforce education solutions, and it enables Huntington to invest in the future of our colleagues so we can retain and promote top talent from within the bank."

Exact Track classes are held weekday evenings at Huntington Gateway Center. The program combines eight semesters of Columbus State curriculum and six semesters of Franklin University curriculum, including summer terms, enabling participants to complete college in five years while working full-time. Exact Track participants earn two degrees: an associate's of Applied Science in Business Management from Columbus State and a bachelor's in Business Administration with a minor in Management and Leadership from Franklin University.

"Pairing our workforce needs and workers' skills is one of the most important things we can do to help people be successful in their personal goals while giving job creators the talent they need to grow," said Lt. Governor Jon Husted. "The partnership Huntington has formed with Columbus State and Franklin University is a leading example of the type of employer engagement we need to strengthen our workforce and move our economy forward."

"For the CEOs of the Ohio Business Roundtable, workforce and talent remain persistent challenges," said Tiberi. "Ohio employers can no longer sit back and assume higher education is going to produce a workforce equipped with the specific skills businesses will need to fill their future in-demand jobs. With Exact Track, Huntington shows us that businesses can help meet their own future employment needs."

"Exact Track's scheduling convenience, combined with Huntington's innovative Pre-Imbursement program, removes important barriers to pursuing the goal of earning a college degree for working adults," Dr. Harrison said.

"As a result of this unique access to education, Huntington employees will gain the skill sets to advance their company and enrich the lives of their families and themselves," Dr. Decker said.

Exact Track provides a predictable, manageable class schedule for professionals balancing career, college and other responsibilities. Knowing the exact sequence of courses at a consistent time and location makes it easier to fit college into a busy schedule. An accelerated three-and-a-half-year program also is open to applicants from the general public at Columbus State's Delaware campus. More information is available at www.cscc.edu/exacttrack.

"This type of corporate collaboration with higher education is the wave of the future when it comes to meeting current and anticipated needs of Ohio's workforce. We anticipate this will be a very successful program we will expand over time," Steinour added."

About Columbus State
Columbus State is one of the largest comprehensive colleges in Ohio, currently serving more than 46,000 students and contributing nearly $1 billion annually in regional economic impact. It is the only community college in the nation to earn the three key national distinctions of a Guided Pathways college, an Achieving the Dream Leader College and a Right Signals Initiative college, and in 2019 received the Leah Meyer Austin award, the highest honor a college in Achieving the Dream's network can earn.

About Franklin
Accredited, nonprofit and dedicated to educating adults since 1902, Franklin provides onsite course options at over 25 Midwest locations and is an innovator in providing personalized online education. The University offers applied in-demand undergraduate, master's and doctorate programs that enable adult learners to achieve their educational and professional goals. The University also offers several academic programs internationally, including its top-ranked MBA, through agreements with partner institutions.

Franklin University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and holds specialized accreditations for specific academic programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

About Huntington
Huntington Bancshares Incorporated is a regional bank holding company headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with $108 billion of assets and a network of 868 full-service branches, including 12 Private Client Group offices, and 1,687 ATMs across seven Midwestern states. Founded in 1866, The Huntington National Bank and its affiliates provide consumer, small business, commercial, treasury management, wealth management, brokerage, trust, and insurance services. Huntington also provides vehicle finance, equipment finance, national settlement, and capital market services that extend beyond its core states. Visit huntington.com for more information.

SOURCE Huntington Bancshares Incorporated